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STUDENTS' E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC
School of Social Sciences of Charles University
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
E-mail address: carolina@n.fsv.cuni.cs
Fax: (+422) 24810987
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C A R O L I N A No 95, Friday, November 19, 1993.
EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK (NOVEMBER 11-18)
Slovak President Kovac Visits Czech Republic
On the day that saw the start of the democratic revolution four
years ago, November 17, Slovak President Michel Kovac visited Prague,
and visited Czech President Vaclav Havel at the presidential retreat in
Lany.
Both presidents said they rejected demands for restitution emerging
from events earlier than 1948.
Kovac also said the Slovak Republic understants Czech opposition to
the question of dual citizenship. He also said that citizens moving from
one republic to another would be helped by elimination of charges to
gain citizenship.
Kovac fears diminishing cultural and spiritual ties between the two
republics, he said. The next meeting between the republics will be
devoted to this problem.
Delay of the Second Wave of the Privatization
Nearly 2.5 million Czechs, an average of 150,000 per day, have
registered in the second wave of coupon privatization. If the trend
continues, more than 4 million will take part in the program.
The second wave of registering privatization funds also ended, with
345 eligible to pool investors' coupons.
Unlike the succesful first wave, which proceeded on schedule and in
which stocks of all major companies were sold, the first round of the
second wave will probably be postponed for a month. This comes at the
request of Tomas Jezek, chairman of the National Property Fund. He made
the request at Tuesday's conference of the economy ministers.
Due to the delay, registration of coupon books will be extended
until December 8. The first shares are thus expected to be allocated in
March rather than in February, as originally planned.
The Czech goverment decided to postpone the program after strong
protests from some of the companies set to be privatized. Those
companies object to recording two statements of accounts--one due
November 30 for the privatization process, and one due December 31 under
normally required accounting procedures. According to Jezek, the
statements of accounts for privatization should be made by February 10.
Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus said the goverment doesn't think
that postponing the statements for a month will cause the companies any
problems. "This question of time, this is not a fundemental dispute.
It's not about if the privatization succeeds or not. It's all just
a matter of organization now", Klaus Cesky denik November 18.
Parliament Passes Crime Bill
The Czech Parliament amended the criminal law November 10 in an
attempt to deal with rising levels of crime and new forms of crime that
have emerged along with increased business activity in the Czech
Republic.
The amendments also contain significant changes in the concept of
justified self-defence. In relation to the old law this new one doesn't
limited ot he level of threat. previous one this novel is extened so
that there wouldn't be need for strickly adequate dangers of charges.
The amendments largely attempt to deal with new sorts of business
crimes, for example, by defining such offenses as unauthorized use of
credit cards, forgery and unauthorized use of personal data. The law
also prohibits unauthorized production and sale of radioactive material.
Another significant change is the development of a witness
protection program. In case a witness's life is in danger, personal data
in legal proceedings will be masked.
There was a dispute over a section that will allow punishment for
Czechs attacking Parliament, the government or the Constitutional Court.
According to some coalition representatives, a democratic country
doesn't need such measures.
President Vaclav Havel has said he may not sign the law because of
that paragraph.
Parliament rejected a proposal to re-establish the death penalty.
Fifteen representatives voted in favor of it.
Klaus Misses Regional Reform Deadlines
The question of the future structure of regional goverment has been
left hanging since the old structure was abolished in January.
On July 7, the goverment launched a proposal for regional regional
reform calling for completion of certain tasks by September and October.
However, according to Mlada Fronta Dnes, Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus
and his Civic Democratic Party (ODS) now doubt the need for speedy
reform.
But representatives Jaroslav Ortman of the Left Bloc, and Josef
Kubis of the Christian and Democratic Union-Czech Civic Party proposed
November 11 that the government be obliged to proceed without delay on
regional reform, and that Parliament pass the reform by the end of the
year.
The proposal received widespread support in parliament. The only
opposition came from 18 members of ODS.
Mlada Fronta Dnes also reported that a reform package has been
produced by the Institute for Legislation and Internal Affairs.
Fourth Anniversary of Velvet Revolution observed
Czech citizens marked the fourth anniversary of the November 17
events, which led to the Velvet Revolution, with flowers and candles
last Wednesday.
November 17 is recognized as a milestone in the Czech history because
it launched the events that caused the downfall of the Communist
goverment and the start of democratic rule. However, the Czech president
who came to power at the end of the Velvet Revolution didn't take part
in any observances.
"Times have changed and democratically-elected authorities already
exist nowadays, and problems can't be solved on the street," President
Vaclav Havel said.
Coalition party Civic Democratic Alliance spokesmen said the process
of transformation begun November 17 has been very successful and will
continue under the current goverment.
Josef Hlavka Endowment Rewards Top University Students
The Josef Hlavka award and grant, worth 14,000 crowns, was presented
November 17 to 39 students and recent graduates of Charles University,
other Prague universities, Brno's School of Higher Technical Learning,
and young workers at the Czech Academy of Sciences. Ceremonies were
conducted at Luzany Castle, in Prestice.
Candidates for the award were chosen from each faculty by their
professors and deans. Guidelines called for students with excellent
marks throughout their courses of study, and an ability to contribute to
future advancement in various fields of Czech science and culture. Only
Charles University's Faculty of Social Sciences and Pharmaceutical
Faculty didn't nominate students.
The Josef, Marie, and Zdenka Hlavka Endowment has been financially
aiding budding Czech talents and experts since it's founding in 1882.
Czech-Austrian Josef Hlavka supported, above all, university students
with excellent grades.
Endowment President Jaroslav Nedved's address was followed by
a Tachov quartet concert in the castle chapel. Although students may use
the award money as they like, most of them said they will use the money
towards books and study materials, which are increasingly expensive.
Breakdown at Prague Phone Central Cuts Czech Republic Off From
International Phone Network
The most widespread failure ever to affect Czech telecommunications
hit Prague's international and intercity phone central last week. The
cause of the November 12 occurence is still unknown. International phone
contact in the Czech Republic was completely cut, and residents of the
greater Prague area were unable to place intercity calls. Despite
intensive weekend repair work, the 13-year-old central exchange resumed
normal opperation on November 16.
Price of Heating Likely to Rise in January - Coal and Gas Without Change
The Czech Government has recommended a 16-percent increase in the
price of centrally-supplied heating. The increase is to take effect
January 1.
According to Finance Minister Ivan Kocarnik, this will mean
a monthly increase of 19 crowns for employed people and 27 crowns for
retirees. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs was assigned to
propose an adjusted pay scale for the needy. The government is not
considering establishing direct supplements for heating. However, in the
case of social need, it will be possible to request a one-time grant of
10,000 crowns annually.
The increased charges apply only to those who received their heating
from large, off-site heating plants. The government didn't approve
increasing the cost of gas, coal, and electrical energy. These changes
will come later, Kocarnik said, and will be subject to regulation.
CSA hits financial turbulence
Czechoslovak Airlines needs a loan of 27 million dollars to get
through the current financial crisis, according to reports, following
losses of more than 650 million crowns this year.
Transportation Minister Jan Strasky met three major share holders of
this air company November 15th, but the meeting yielded no conclusions
save for a timetable for future meetings, Mlada Fronta Dnes reports.
Privatization of CSA was completed in 1992 and a share company came
into existence. CSA signed an agreement with Air France, which invested
(together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) 60
million dollars.
A modernization program replaced the fleet of mainly Soviet
airplanes. CSA now uses Airbus 310-300, Boeing 737-500, ATR-72, Tupolev
Tu-154M, Tu-134A and Iljusin IL-62
CSA was founded as the Czechoslovak national carrier 70 years ago
and joined the IATA international carriers association in 1929.
Environmentalists block traffic in Wenceslas Square
Marking the International No-Car Day November 15, members of Czech
environmental group Children of the Earth demonstrated their opposition
to increasing traffic in the center of Prague by blocking access to
Wenceslas Square for half an hour before being cleared by police.
F. Maly, head of the "Prague--City for the People" campaign, said
Children of the Earth are asking city authorities to support public
transport because increased automobile traffic means rising pollution.
Traffic in the city has increased 30 percent in the last year, Prague
police report.
The group also advocates establishing bike routes and finding other
suggestions to deal with Prague's transportation woes.
City authorities are trying to solve the problems by building roads
and highways in the suburbs and by limiting free parking lots in the
center, said Deputy Mayor Jan Holba.
While the city lacks funds to properly address the transportation
issue, it will try to support public transport, especially in the
suburbs, Holba said.
British Literary Science and the Charles University.
During last years Prague with its legendary culture and interesting
history attracted several world-known experts. Last week, professor
Anthony Easthope, a famous british literary scientist and theorist was
allured to a visit.
During his stay he called by at the Philosophical Faculty of the
Charles University where he gave lectures on Thursday and Friday and
introduced his theorie, results, and efforts on the field of literary
research. t was an interesting expirience for the involved audience to
listen to his,to certain extend, revolutionary opinions which doubt the
so called "great literature" and the existence of literature at all.
t was also a stimulus to a discusion as the following inflammatory
dispute between the English gentleman and the students as well as the
teachers of the English Departement showed. Professor Easthope, however,
took the criticism in a good way and invited his opponents to a caffee
to keep on the discution after the lecture.
During the following days professor visited the Universities in
Olomouc and Brno too.
FROM SLOVAKIA
Meciar and Klaus to be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
The board of trustees of the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia
(HZDS) have decided to nominate Vladimir Meciar and Vaclav Klaus for the
Nobel Peace Prize because of their contributions to a peaceful division
of the former Czechoslovakia.
Meciar, who is Slovakia's prime minister as well as head of the
HZDS, said he is honored by the board of trustees' move, although he
does not believe he could win the prize.
Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus declined to comment.
Prominent politicians reacted strongly to the development. From the
Czech Press Agency: "A theme more fitting to a satirist Miroslv
Markovic," said Peter Weiss of the Democratic Left Wing. "I cannot
imagine anything more insulting for the Nobel Prize," said Czech Social
Democrat leader Milos Zeman. "It is sort of a comedy. Simply
ridiculous," said Slovak Jan Carnogursky of the Movement of Christian
Democrats.
Exchange Rates of Czech National Bank
(price rates valid from November18)
buy sell
Britain GBP 41,77 44,21
France FRF 5,00 5,05
Canada CAD 22,58 22,81
Austria ATS 2,46 2,48
Germany DEM 17,30 17,48
USA USD 29,65 29,94
SPORTS
Czech-Slovak soccer players eliminated from 1994 World Cup
The European soccer qualification for the World Championship in
1994 in the USA ended with 11 matches November 17, and with the end of
hopes for the Czech and Slovak team to advance.
The Czechs and Slovaks (RCS) needed a win over homefield Belgium,
but were eliminated in a scoreless tie.
Belgian King Albert II greeted the players of both teams, but that
failed to inspire the Belgains, who gave a lackluster performance in the
first half. Still, the stronger Czechs and Slovaks failed to get a shot
on goal.
The second half brought a more interesting show. In the fiftieth
minute, a Belgian back fouled Czech Miroslav Kadlec in front of the
penalty area. However, Peter Dubovsky failed to score on the penalty
kick.
The Belgian goalie thwarted Czech Jan Suchoparek, who had the best
chance to score following overwhelming pressure on the Belgian goal.
Toward the end of the match the Czechs and Slovaks replaced the rather
ineffective forwards with the fresh Jaroslav Timko, but he, too, was
unable to break the tie.
After the game Czech and Slovak players could do no more than watch
the endless celebrations of the Belgians. The elimation means the Czech
and Slovak team, which will be split in future play, won't have a 500th
match. After more than seventy years of common history, the record books
stop at Match 499.
THE WEATHER
The temperature in the Czech Republic has dropped below freezing. In
the mountains it was snowing by November 12, and Prague saw its first
dusting two days later. The sun broke through November 18, and
temperatures were between minus 7 and plus 7 degrees Celsius.
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